WNBA Files Trademark Applications for Houston Comets Logos
The league filed for eight new logos as the franchise prepares to return to the WNBA next season.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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The WNBA filed eight trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 28, 2026, for new Houston Comets logo designs. These filings mark a significant step toward the franchise returning to the league after being discontinued in 2008.
Why it matters
Proactive trademark filings help sports leagues secure brand identity and prevent third parties from claiming names or imagery ahead of official team announcements. This legal move clears a path for the team to restart operations in Houston following previous conflicting filings by other entities.
The WNBA submitted eight trademark applications covering four distinct logo designs, with each design split between entertainment services and merchandise categories. These filings follow a $300 million purchase of the Connecticut Sun by Tilman Fertitta earlier in 2026.
The players
WNBA
The professional basketball league manages team operations and intellectual property for all franchises across the United States.
Houston Comets
The historical franchise was a cornerstone of the league before its discontinuation in 2008 and is now preparing for a return to professional play.
TSTM Holdings
The investment entity previously attempted to secure trademark rights to the Houston Comets name before the league took its own legal action.
Tilman Fertitta
The businessman and owner recently purchased the Connecticut Sun for $300 million and is a prominent figure in the professional sports landscape.
The details
The new logo designs feature a basketball-shaped comet integrated with letters. The WNBA is seeking to secure these marks after a series of earlier filings for the Comets name by TSTM Holdings in May 2024 and the league itself in February 2025.
Timeline
The original Houston Comets franchise was discontinued in 2008.
TSTM Holdings submitted a trademark application for the name in May 2024.
The WNBA applied for the Houston Comets trademark in February 2025.
The WNBA filed eight trademark applications for new logos on October 28, 2026.
The team is expected to officially unveil the logos on October 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The return of the Houston Comets shifts the competitive balance of the league by adding a historic franchise to the active roster. This development expands the league footprint following the recent purchase of the Connecticut Sun by Tilman Fertitta.
Fans in Houston can anticipate the formal reinstatement of the franchise as a league competitor for the upcoming season. The filing ensures the team will have a distinct visual identity protected under federal trademark law upon its return.
The takeaway
The proactive filing of these trademarks secures the team's intellectual property ahead of its highly anticipated return to the court. Fans should monitor league announcements for the official unveiling of the new team aesthetic.
What happens next
The organization is expected to officially unveil the new logo designs on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the league's expansion, visit the Houston Basketball section.
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